Health Officials: Don't go swimming at some Gulf Coast beaches

WCMH Web Staff - JACKSON, MS (WCMH) - If you're thinking about taking a vacation down to the Gulf Coast, you might want to pick your preferred beach very carefully.

Several popular beaches in Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas all currently have swimming advisories. Health officials in those states are advising beach-goers against getting into the water due to high levels of harmful bacteria.

Some of these bacteria represent those commonly found in sewage pollution and fecal matter. They can cause disease, infections or rashes. In some cases, contamination includes flesh-eating bacteria, which can be deadly.

Health officials in Louisiana say even if there isn't an advisory, "the public should be aware that there is always a slight risk of bacterial contamination" and that they should "swim at their own risk."